Uganda Travel Guide

Uganda is an unspoiled destination, because it has never suffered the mass tourism of Kenya and Tanzania. The people are friendly and welcoming by nature, and there is plenty of opportunity to get out of the vehicle and explore on foot and to interact with the locals.

Game densities in some places are very good, but here, you have to work a little harder to spot your game than in other, more popular destinations. Also, top end accommodation can be hard to find in certain areas. However, Uganda has a beguiling charm, and will get under your skin. At the end of a multi-country African safari, Uganda will linger as one of your fondest memories, sometimes for reasons you can't quite put your finger on.

Uganda is at the heart of Africa and presents itself as very Friendly to visitors and full of wonder and encounter once in the wild. Make sure you sit with the people and take time to engage them in conversation.

Uganda has several safari destination throughout the country. I haven't experienced much of that aspect of the country, but as far as I have, I can safely state that on some levels it can easily compete with the better parks in Kenya and Tanzania. It may not have such a diverse and big concentration of impressive wildlife as, say Masaai Mara, it also isn't packed with so many tourists and the prices are quite reasonable in comparisation. For birdwatchers Uganda might actually be the best country to visit in the whole of Africa. I am not one myself, but visiting Uganda made me very much aware of the beauty of birds for the first time in my life.

some very "out of the way" places to visit so if you want adventure then this could be the place for you

While the city of Kampala, in my opinion, is just another dirty & crowded African city, the countryside & wildlife are very special.

Uganda is a very warm and friendly place, with few of the hassles you find elsehwere, even Kampala itself proved welcoming even in some of the poorer areas of the centre. Safari-wise, still not the level of game viewing of other countries, but you can't fault it for beauty in the parks. Friends of mine have also recommended Murchison Falls (where I hope to go this year - 2012). Fort Portal is a good base for visiting the Ruwenzoris, one of the Gorilla viewing areas. My visit to Uganda was to visit friends, and we used their own vehicles (4wd) with no guide with no problems. A very enjoyable experience throughout my 2 week stay.

Beside mammals, the avifauna is just incredible diverse, be prepared for many new species on your personal list!

In Uganda you can see the green (more rainy) Africa, and you see two kinds of great apes. In other countries are more great herds (Tanzania, Kenya).

I had a great experience in Uganda seeing all the animals I expected to see and more. Elephants,hippos,wart hogs,zebras, big horned cattle,weaver birds, azure kingfishers, storks, cranes, the crested crane, spoonbills, lions, gorillas,moneys,crocodiles, a magnifent leopard and beautiful butterflies in their thousands.

The friendliest place I have ever been

The wildlife in Lake Mburo National Park is slightly limited, with no signs of the big five (although there were talks of bringing back the giraffes, as conditions were thought to be very good for them now). Howeever, this did not limit the experience of thew safari. We knew from the beginning what animals we could expect to see, and they were out and about continuously. We came very close to the animals, and the were curious yet healthily cautios when we were present. It did not feel like they were too used to people, and we rarely met another group while on our game drive.

The scenery was beautiful, and so inspiring! Our breakfast at the lakeside cafè was of decent quality at best, but it was amazing to see all the animals, birds and to enjoy the lake view while having our breakfast. Our accomodation was parted; two people stayed at the spectacular and luxurious Mihingo Lounge. The other two stayed more or less in the bush, in a one-room house with toilets outdoors. We ran into animals on our way to the bathroom! Fascinating, and slightly scary. Food at Mihingo Lounge was excellent, food at the lakeside restaurant was decent. We had a teenager from the park collecting us from the restaurant at nighttime on a boda boda. It was a thrill to ride through the park at nighttime.

The safari included a boatttrip, which was great for birding, and a walking safari. The latter was the safari highlight; a two hour walk on the green steps, surrounded by buffalos, topis, waterbucks and a bucnh of other animals I cannot rememeber right now. Our guide was fantastic. A friendly, intelligent young man with a heart for nature. And a great storyteller he was too!

As for Uganda, it was marvellous. I have not been there for the last time.